Limpho Sello
Police in Qacha’s Nek have called on the Ministry of Home Affairs to speed-up the livestock brand-marking programme to support efforts to recover stolen animals smuggled into South Africa.
The Ministry of Home Affairs relaunched the Livestock Registration Marking Systems (LRMIS) in August this year, as one of the ways seeking to help the police and livestock farmers to identify their stolen animals. This exercise started in Monontša, Butha Buthe, where it ended last week and is expected to start in Marakabei this week.
In an interview with the Lesotho Times, the Officer in Charge of the stock theft unit at Qacha’s Nek Police Station, Senior Inspector Maruping Nkoloko said nearly a hundred sheep and goats are stolen in the district each month.
The bulk of the animals are smuggled into South Africa, where they are sold or owned by the suspects.
“Theft of animals is bleeding the agriculture sector here, especially because livestock is a source of livelihood for many families.”
In some cases, animals disappear when Lesotho farmers combine their stock with farmers in Matatiele in South Africa where the pasture is good. This is an understanding that has existed over the years although in some cases some livestock farmers end up losing their animals.
Police from the both sides of the border are usually called in to assist in tracking the animals, and in most cases livestock farmers from Lesotho lose out because they fail to identify their animals without any form of identification marks.
Working with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the police in Qacha’s Nek have intensified public awareness campaigns to help farmers strengthen protection of their livestock.
Snr Insp Nkoloko said farmers are encouraged to keep their animals in fences with secured gates or in shelters where they can be safe. To help prevent successful movement of stolen animals, farmers are also urged not to allow animals to be kept on their property overnight especially by strangers.
“Farmers should also be watchful during full moon, in the rainfall season, weekends and during periods known from experience that animals are stolen.” Regular counting of animals and checking upon employees’ livestock is also important, Snr Insp Nkokolo said.
Speaking to the Lesotho Times on Monday, the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Machesetsa Mofomobe said the government is taking the problem of stock theft seriously.
“The government has injected M50 million into the LRMIS programme, for the Ministry of Home Affairs to spearhead the livestock brand-marking exercise throughout the country,” Mr Mofomobe said.
He explained that hot spots for stock theft and smuggling into South Africa were mapped to ensure they are prioritized.
Mr Mofomobe added that centres where brand-marking activities will take place were also identified and local communities sensitized.
